GB2087622A

GB2087622A - Musical electronic calculator

Info

Publication number: GB2087622A
Application number: GB8133682A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1980-11-13
Filing date: 1981-11-09
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: DE3145194C2; US4519044A; JPS5784496A; DE3145194A1; GB2087622B; JPH0321920B2

Description

1 GB 2 087 622 A 1

SPECIFICATION

A small-sized electronic calculator capable of functioning as a musical instrument The present invention relates to a small-sized electronic calculator capable of functioning as a musical instrument wherein a plurality of input keys to which numeral values or arithmetically processing instructions are applied are used as performing keys.

Following the recent progress of LSI (large scale integrated circuit), the small-sized electronic calculator has been made smaller and smaller and to have another functions such as timer and musical instrument functions in addition to calculator function. When the small-sized electronic calculator is used as a musical instrument, the mode changeover switch is changed over to musical instrument mode position and a plurality of input keys of which numeral values of arithmetically-processing instructions are applied are used as performing keys of musical instrument. However, input keys of small-sized electronic calculator are not so many as those of a piano and the small-sized electronic calculator is therefore limited in tone and music it can perform.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a small-sized electronic calculator capable of functioning as a musical instrument and performing musics of various keys such as C, F and G majors using the limited number of input keys.

According to the present invention there is provided a small-sized electronic calculator capable of functioning as a musical instrument and including a plurality of input keys to which numeral values or arithmetically-processing instructions are applied, an arithmetic circuit for carrying out a predetermined operation responsive to input applied from these input keys, and a 105 display means for displaying the result of operation carried out by the arithmetic circuit, the small-sized electronic calculator further including a mode changeover means for setting input keys to performing keys, a means for assigning the key of scales created by operating input keys which are now used as performing keys, means for selecting tone data of an interval according to the key assigned by the key assisgning means, said interval being determined corresponding to each of input keys, means for generating tone signal according to selected tone data, and a display means for displaying the key assigned by the key assigning means.

This invention can be more fully understood 120 from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the panel of a small-sized electronic calculator according to one 126 embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows the relation between tone name and pitch in C major scale; Fig. 3 shows the relation between key and contents displayed in the display section shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing in more detail a part of circuit shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 shows the relation between code decoder output line, tone name and pitch.

Referring to Fig. 1, a plurality of input keys 11-0, 1 1-1_. to which numeral values or arithmetically processing instructions are applied are arranged in rows and columns on a keyboard 11 of a panel 10. Tones ranging from tone name La to octave Re of C major are assigned to a decimal point key 11 -10 and then numeral keys 11-0, 11-1,..., 11-9, respectively. Fig. 2 shows the relation between input keys 11 -0 to 11 -10 (tone names La to octave Re) and positions of notes of C major. An input key 11-11 is a key assigning switch to assign C, F and G majors, sucessively, in this embodiment.

A mode assigning switch 12 and a display device 13 are also arranged in the panel 10. The moder assinging switch 12 has three positions which are--OFF-position of an electric power, musical instrument mode position represented by a symbol 41 and calculator (CAL) mode position. The display device is of liquid crystal display type and can display eight-figure numbers and a decimal point. At the left corner of display section 13 are previously printed a score 1 3a and a G cief. A sharp (J) 13b is also displayed on the fifth line of score 13a and it will be understood that G major scale is now set by the operation of key assigning key 11-11. Fig. 3 showsthe relation between the key operation of key assigning key 11 -11 and key display. Key operation is carried out in the order of (A), (B) and (C), and the key assigned at (D) is same as at (A). Namely, when the key 11-11 is once pushed under the condition (C major) of (A), the key is changed over to the condition of (B), so that sharp ":" 13b is displayed on the score 13a and music can be played on G major scale. Sharp () is added this time to the tone of fa (F,) in Fig. 2 and this tone is made higher by semi tone to be sounded as F,:. Numeral keys 11-0 to 11-9 and decimal point key 11-10 are set to G major scale as described above.

When the key 11-11 is again pushed, the condition is changed over to the condition of (C) and flat -b- is displayed on the third line of score 13a as shown in Fig. 3, thus allowing music to be played on F major scale. Flat (b) is added this time to two tones Si different one octave from each other and corresponding to tones BO and B, in Fig. 2 and these tones are made lower semi tone to be sounded as B.b and B, l. Music can be thus played on F major scale when the key is set at (C) in Fig. 3. When the key 11-11 is pushed once again, the condition is changed over to the condition of (D), which is the same as at (A) as already described above. When the mode changeover switch 12 is 2 GB 2 087 622 A 2 changed over from---OFF-position to--- position, it may be arranged that the condition (A) of C major is immediately set without pushing the 65 key 11-11.

Although G clef 4 is previously printed on the score 13a in the display device 13 since all of scales changed over by the operation of key 11 -11 are major scales, G clef---4---and F clef operation of key 11 -11 when it is intended that 75 the key can be changed over to both of major and minor scales.

Arrangement and operation of this embodiment will now be described in detail referring to Figs. 4 and 5. key switches corresponding to keys 11 -0 to 11 -11 and other function keys are arranged at cross points on the keyboard 11 where row lines xl-x8 cross column lines yl-y4. Signal generated when one of keys on the keyboard 11 is pushed is supplied via four output lines yl-y4 to a four-bit key data register 2 1, which includes four flip-flops 21 a-21 d weighted like 1-2- 4-8. Key data thus converted to parallel signal of four bits is supplied via a data bus 22 to an operation or arithmetic circuit 23, which applies key switch signal code to a four-bit register 25 through a bus 24. Key switch signal code temporarily stored in the register 25 is supplied to a key switch signal generating decoder 26 and key switch signal is applied from the decoder 26 to lines xl -x8 95 successively. Output appearing on lines yl-y4 and representing which key is pushed when key switch signal is applied to lines xl-x8 is supplied via the register 21 and then the bus 22 to the arithmetic circuit 23.

The arithmetic circuit 23 and a ROM address determining circuit 27 are connected with each other by a data bus 28, through which a signal representing whether or not data is present in arithmetic registers (not shown) arranged in the arithmetic circuit 23 and a carrier signal or a signal judging the status of arithmetic circuit 23 are supplied to the address determining circuit 27. The address determining circuit 27 serves to decode these signals and supplies address signal 110 to a program ROM 29, in which are previously stored micro-instructions by which arithmetic operation is carried out at the time of calculation mode and by which tone generating operation is achieved at the time of music instrument mode in 115 this embodiment of small-sized electronic calculator. When data is present in arithmetic registers, the program ROM 29 applies microinstruction from an address, to which access has been applied through the address determining circuit 27, to an instruction decoder 31 through a data bus 30 while RAM address assigning signal to a RAM column/row determining circuit 33 through an address bus 32. The instruction decoder 31 decodes micro-instruction applied and 125 supplies it to the arithmetic circuit 23 through a bus 34, thus causing the arithmetic circuit 23 to perform a predetermined operation. Data read out from a data RAM 36, to which access has been applied by the determining circuit 33 via an address bus 35, is supplied via a data bus 37 to the arithmetic circuit 23, or data representing the arithmetic result carried out in the arithmetic circuit 23 is stored in the data RAM 36. When a step of arithmetic operation is finished like this in the arithmetic circuit 23, a signal for assigning a next address in the program ROM 29 is supplied from the program ROM 29 to the ROM address determining circuit 27 through an address bus 38. As the result, the address determining circuit 27 applies to the program ROM 29 address signal for reading out a next step of program. Arithmetic operation is carried out in the arithmetic circuit 23 according to the program thus stored in the program ROM 29 and responsive to data and arithmetical ly-processing instruction applied from the keyboard. The result of arithmetic operation is finally stored in the data RAM 36 and, as the result, data is supplied via a data bus 39 to a display buffer 40. Timing signal formed by supplying reference pulse generated from a reference pulse generator circuit 41 to a timing generator circuit 42 is supplied via a control bus 43 to the display buffer 40. Data temporarily stored in the display burrer 40 is supplied under the control of timing signal to the display device 13 and displayed there visually. The timing generator circuit 42 further supplies a variety of timing signals to those sections which are shown in Fig. 4, but the supply of these signals is not shown in Fig. 4.

Scale code data is further supplied from the arithmetic circuit 23 to the bus 24 and stored temporarily in a four-bit register 44. Scale code data temporarily stored in the register 44 is then supplied to a scale decoder 45 where signal for assigning the frequency or pitch of tone is formed. This frequency assigning signal is supplied to the control input terminal of a frequency divider 46, which divides reference frequency signal applied from the reference pulse generator circuit 41 with a dividing ratio assigned by frequency assigning signal. Therefore, tone signal having a frequency selected by the scale decoder 45 is obtained through the divider 46 and supplied to sounding device 47 such as speaker or piezo-peiectric buzzer.

Fig 5 shows in more detail the constitution of the scale code register 44 and the frequency divider 46 shown in Fig. 4. Four-bit scale code data temporarily stored in the register 44 is supplied every bit to four input lines 11, 12, 13 and 14 of a code decoder 45a arranged in the scale decoder 45. The code decoder 45a has sixteen output fines XO, X1_---X1 5 and four-bit input code data decoded is supplied to a ROM 45b as address signal. Fig. 6 shows the relation between output (output---1 -, for example) appearing on each of output lines XO-Xl 5 and tone name and pitch of tone generated. Output lines X1 4 and X1 5 may be assigned to codes by 7 Ii- 3 GB 2 087 622 A 3 which not tone is generated like a rest, for example.

Responsive to address signal applied through output lines XO-Xl 5, the ROM 45b applies dividing ratio assigning data, as seven-bit data, to the frequency divider 46 through a register 45c.

Each bit signal of dividing ratio assigning data temporarily stored in the register 45c is supplied to one input terminal of each of AND gates 46a-46g in the frequency divider 46, said one input terminal being the control signal input, terminal. Each of outputs of AND gates 46a-46g is supplied to a reset terminal R of each of binary counters 46h-46n. These binary counters 46h-46n are set to give priority to resetting operation. To a terminal T of binary counter 46h is supplied reference frequency signal from the reference pulse generator circuit 4 1. Output G of binary counter 46h is supplied to a terminal T of 80 next stage binary counter 46i and an input terminal of a NOR circuit 46p. Output Q of binary counter 46i is supplied to a terminal T of next stage binary counter 46j and another input terminal of NOR circuit 46p. Similarly output Q of 85 each of binary counters 46j-46m is connected to a terminal T of its next stage binary counter and a different input tinal of NOR circuit 46p.

Output Q of final stage binary counter 46n is connected to a seventh input terminal of NOR circuit 46p. Output of NOR circuit 46p is supplied to a flip-flop circuit 46q and temporarily stored there. Output of flip-flop circuit 46q is supplied to a terminal T of a binary counter 46r and a set terminal S of each of binary counters 46h-46n 95 while to the other input terminal of each of AND circuits 46a-469. Output Q of binary counter 46r is supplied, as tone signal, to the sounding device 47 shown in Fig. 4.

The operation of this embodiment having such an arrangement as described above will now be described. When the mode assigning switch 12 is shifted from "OFF- position to musical instrument mode position represented by symbol---4-1 only symbol---4,' corresponding 105 to C major in Fig. 3 is displayed at the left upper corner of display section 13. Namely, input signal from switch (corresponding to the switch 12) represented by symbol " i " in the keyboard 11 of Fig. 4 is supplied via the register 22 to the arithmetic circuit 23 and temporarily stored in the register 25. Signal temporarily stored in the register 25 is supplied to the key switch signal generating decoder 26, and it is judged by the arithmetic circuit 23 that the switch 12 represented by symbol " 4" has been operated.

display buffer 40 to the display device 13.

When the key 11 -11 of key assigning switch is then pushed, the input key switch signal is supplied to the arithmetic circuit 23. In this embodiment, contents displayed by the display device 13 are changed over in the order of (A), (B), (C) and (D), as shown in Fig. 3, every time when the key 11 -. 11 is pushed and the key of music being played by using numeral keys 11-0 to 11-9 and the decimal point key 11-10 is thus changed over from C major to G, F and C majors, successively. Contents of key assigning code stored in a specified area of data RAM 36 and address-assigned by the arithmetic circuit 23 are changed every time when the key 11-11 is pushed. Namely, key assigning code stored in the data RAM 36 is read out to the display buffer 40 and symbols "" and -b- are selectively displayed by the display device 13.

There will be now described a case where the key 11 - 11 is once pushed, when C major is displayed, to assign G major and symbol "" is thus displayed by the display device 13 as shown in Fig. 1.

When the key switch 11-4 is pushed, four-bit key switch signal representing numeral 'W' is supplied via the register 21 to the arithmetic circuit 23. The key pushed is judged by the arithmetic circuit 23 using this key switch signal code and key switch signal code stored in the register 25, and it is thus detected by the arithmetic circuit 23 that the key 11-4 has been operated. On the other hand, key assigning code of G major stored in the specified area of data RAM 36 is read out and supplied to the arithmetic circuit 23. Using code of key 11-4 and key assigning code of G major, the arithmetic circuit 23 reads out from the data RAM 36 tone code ---0111---representing tone of Fa:(F,t) and causes it to be temporarily stored in the register 44. This tone code---0 111---is supplied from the register 44 to the code decoder 45a and as result, the output line X7 is selected. Tone code "0 111 is therefore applied via the output line X7 to the ROM 45b and decoded there. Dividing ratio data for dividing reference frequency signal applied to the scale frequency divider 46 is supplied from the ROM 45b to the register 45c and temporarily stored there. Dividing ratio data stored in the register 45c is supplied through each of AND circuits 46a-469 to the reset terminal of each of binary counters 46h-46n. Binary counters 46h-46n are successively operated step by step responsive to reference frequency signal applied from the reference pulse generator circuit 41.

When all outputs Q of binary counters 46h-46n become -0-, signal---1---is applied from the NOR circuit 46p to set the flip-flop 46q. As the result, As the result, responsive to address signal applied 120 gates of AND circuits 46a-46g are opened and from the program ROM 29 to which access has all of binary counters 46h- 46n are set. Those of been applied through the address determining binary counters 46h-46n having reset terminals circuit 27, code for displaying G clef is read applied with outputs from the selected AND gates 46a-469 according to dividing ratio data stored in the register 45c are thus reset. In short, when a large value is set in the register 45c, a small value outfrom the data RAM 36 and a signal representing the G clef---4---is supplied from the 4 GB 2 087 622 A 4 inversely proportional to the large value is set in binary counters 46h-46n. The time period starting when this value is set in binary counters 46h-46n and ending when all outputs Q of _ binary counters 46h-46n become---1---is made longer in this case. Therefore, the time period during which the flip-flop 46q is once set and set again is made longer. Pulses of frequency previously stored in the ROM 45b are thus obtained as outputs of flip-flop 46q. This pulse output is shaped by the binary counter 46r to have a= a duty cycle of 1/12 and supplied, as tone signal ol uj pitch of Fa:(F,:), to the sounding device 47.

Similarly, every time when one of numeral keys 1 1-Oto 11-9 and the decimal pointkey 11 -10 is pushed, one of output lines XO-Xl 5 70 corresponding to the pushed key is selected and tone of pitch corresponding to the pushed key is sounded through the device 47. It is arranged, for example, that the key 11-12 of keyboard 11 represented by sumbol -=--- is assigned as a rest 75 key and that the output line X1 4 or X1 5 is selected when the key 11-12 is pushed. When the ROM 45b is set in such a way that contents of registers become " 1111111---in this case, all outputs Q of binary counters 46h-46n become 80 no tone signal is generated through the binary counter 46r and a rest period is thus obtained corresponding to the rest.

Although three kinds of key such as C, G and F majors can be assigned in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it may be arranged that several keys of minor scale can be 36 assigned or that both of major and minor scales can be assigned. The number of keys to be assigned is not limited to three kinds but may be appropriately increased. Although the key assigning key 11-11 is used as a touch switch in this embodiment, a locking switch may be employed. The number of symbols "7' and -b displayed on the display device 13 can be certainly changed corresponding to keys selected.

As described above, the present invention enables keys of major and minor scales to be assigned by the key switch and the pitch of a predetermined tone to be made higher or lower semi tone corresponding to the key pushed, so that a wide variety of melodies can be played using a small number of keys.

Claims

1. In a small-sized electronic calculator comprising a plurality of input keys to which numeral values and arithmetically-processing instructions are applied, an arithmetic circuit for carrying out a predetermined arithmetic operation responsive to output applied from said input keys, and a display means for displaying the result of arithmetic operation carried out by said arithmetic circuit, said small-sized electronic calculator further comprising a mode changeover means for setting said input keys to performing keys, a means for assigning the key of scales created by operating said input keys which are now used as performing keys, means for selecting an interval determined corresponding to a predetermined input key and according to the key assigned by the key assigning means, means for generating a tone signal according to selected tone data, and a means for displaying the key assigned by the key assigning means.

2. A small-sized electronic calculator according to claim 1, wherein said interval selecting means comprise a data RAM having a specified area in which assigned key code is stored, an arithmetic circuit for outputting an interval code responsive to the key code and a code representing the input key operated, and a scale decoder for decoding the interval code to output a dividing ratio data.

3. A small-sized electronic calculator according to claim 2, wherein said scale decoder comprises a code decoder having a plurality of output lines, a ROM to which access is applied responsive to outputs applied from said output lines, and a register for temporarily storing a dividing ratio data read out from said ROM.

4. A small-sized electronic calculator according to claim 3, wherein said tone signal generating means comprises a plurality of AND circuits to one input terminal of each of which is supplied the dividing ratio data stored in the register, a plurality of cascade-connected binary counters having reset terminals to which outputs are supplied from said AND circuits, a reference pulse generator circuit for supplying a reference pulse generator circuit for supplying a reference frequency signal to the input terminal of the first stage binary counter, a NOR circuit to which output Q is applied from each of said binary counters, a flip-flop to which output of said NOR circuit is supplied, and a means for supplying output of said flip-flop commonly to the set terminals of said binary counters while to the other input terminals of said AND circuits and outputting output of said flip-flop as a tone signal.

5. A small-sized electronic calculator capable of functioninig as a musical instrument, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1982. Published by the Patent Office. 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

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